Game apparatus



y 1932- w. J. ROCHE 1,858,113

GAME APPARATUS Filed May 14, 1930 Patented May 10, 1932 l fis'l idl FIQE WILLIAM J. ROCHE, OF COCHEANTON, PENNSYLVANIA GAME APPARATUS Application filed May 14,

T his invention relates to a game apparatus and is designed primarily for the pla ing of an outdoor game, especially upon lawns or courts, but it is to be understood that the apparatus can be installeo where the desired space can be obtained within and the game played indoors, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus of the class referred to for playing a new, amusing and interestin game requiring skill and dexterity on the part of, as well as alfording considerable exercise to the player.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a game apparatus which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, interesting and amusing when used, readily assembled, pleasing in appearance and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scopeof the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a front elevation of a support for suspending a set of paddles and with one of the paddles shifted from normal position, the support and paddles forming elements of the game apparatus in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of Figure 1 illusrating one of the paddles shifted from normal position.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the form of spacer element employed in connection with each paddle.

Figure 4. is a perspective view of the form of latching member employed in connection with each paddle.

Figure 5 is a perspective view, broken 1930. Serial No. 452,483.

away, of the form of projectile employed and which forms an element of the apparatus.

The game apparatus in accordance with this invention includes a set of value indicating paddles normally disposed horizontally and shiftable from normal to vertical position by the impacting thereon of a projectile. Each paddle is straight throughout. When the paddle is in non-value indicating position it is disposed horizontally and when in value indicating position it is disposed vertically throughout. V hen a paddle is shifted to vertical or upright position the value thereof is positioned on the paddle at the upper end of the latter. of the paddles of the set preferably are five and the number of projectiles three. It is to be understood that the number of paddles or number of projectiles can be increased or decreased if desired. Each paddle indicates a different value than that of an adjacent paddle. The value of each of the paddles is different. As the apparatus is designed primarily for the playing of the game termed Lawn 66, it is set up whereby the set of paddles consists of five and the number of projectiles three. The projectiles will be hereinafter more specifically described, as well as the paddles and the support, spacing and latching means for the paddles.

lVhen playing Lawn 66, three projectiles are employed. The player stands back about twenty feet from the outer edge of the paddles, and the projectiles are tossed in succession at the paddles. Each paddle hit assumes an upright position displaying the value thereof. The object of the game is to make an even score of 66. When the player runs over that score the player goes bust, losing all he has previously made, and must start at the beginning again. Any'number of players may play, each throwing three projectiles in succession. The first player to make an even sixty-six wins, if not tied by any succeeding player or players. One or more paddles can be shifted to an upright position by the impact thereon of a single projectile.

The apparatus includes a supporting frame, hereinafter termed a support. The

.The number supporting frame is foldable and it comprises a pair of spaced, parallel, upstanding front bars 1, 2 which extend at a rearward inclination from their lower to their upper ends. The front bars 1, 2 are connected together in proximity to their lower ends by a brace member 3 and also connected together at their upper ends by a board 4 upon which any suitable indicia or other matter can be placed. Arranged between the bars 1, 2 and projecting forwardly therefrom are a pair of rear bars 5, 6 which incline downwardly from their upper to their lower ends. The length of the bars 5, 6 is less than the length of the bars 1, 2. The front bars 1, 2 are pivotally connected to the rear or back bars 5, 6 as at 7 The back or rear bars 5, 6 project slightly forward with respect to the forward edges of the front bars 1, 2. Pivotally connected, as at 8, to the upper end of each front bar isa retaining member 9 which depends from and extends rearwardly with respect to a front bar and is detachably connected to a back or rear bar as at 10. When the members 9 are detachably connected to the bars 5, 6 the supporting frame is maintained in extended position as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The upper ends of the bars 5, 6 have connected therewith the ends of a stationary supporting shaft 11. The shaft 11 when the supporting frame is extended is positioned a substantial distance forwardly of the forward edges of the front bars 1, 2. The bars 5, 6 in proximity to their upper ends have their rear edges mortised as at 12 and seating in the mortises 12, as well as being suitably secured to the bars 5, 6 is a support 13 which, when the supporting frame is extended, is disposed at an inclination. The support 13 is fiush with the rear edges of the bars 5, 6.

Each of the paddles of the set includes an intermediate portion 14: and a pair of end portions l5, 16 preferably of circular contour. The length of the portion 14 is materially greater than the diameter of an end portion and the diameter of the latter is materially greater than the width of the intermediate portion. The paddles are pivotally mounted eccentrically thereof, that is to say,

= each paddle is pivotally supported at a point between its transverse median and its end portion 15. Each paddle has secured to and depending from its intermediate portion at a point between the transverse median of the paddle and the end portion a coupling member 17 for pivotally connecting said paddle to shaft 11. The forward face of the end portion 15 of each paddle is provided with a value indicating means as indicated at 18. As illustrated by way of example, one of the paddles has its value indicating means as one. another as three, another as ten, another as five and the other as one. That paddle having the greatest value indicating means is disposed centrally of the set. The paddles having the smallest Value indicating means are arranged at the ends of the set. The end paddles are spaced from the bars 5, 6. The paddles are arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other. A set of spacer members are employed for spacing the paddles relatively to each other and the end paddles from the bars 5, 6. Each spacer member is in the form of a yoke 19 having the sides thereof formed with angularly disposed extensions 20 which are anchored in the support The spacer members are disposed at an upward inclination from rear to front, and further spaced from the forward ends of the bars 5, 6. The spacer members are also spaced from the shaft 11. The spacer members are generally indicated at 21 and are interposed between the intermediate portions of the paddles and between the intermediate portions of the end paddles of the set and the bars 5, 6.

A latching means is associated with each paddle for normally maintaining it in horizontal position. As the latching means associated with one paddle is the same as that associated with each of the other paddles but one latching means will be described. The latching means includes a retainer and a latching member. The retainer comprises a shank 22 which is secured to the lower edge of the support 13, projects therefrom and terminates in a rounded head 23. The latching member is secured to and depends from the lower face of the paddle and comprises a shank 24 having an inturned, rounded lower end 25 adapted to project under the head 23 for the purpose of latching the paddle in the position shown in Figure 2. The shank 2st at its upper end is formed with a forwardly directed flange 26, provided with apertures 28 through which extend suitable holdfast devices to fixedly secure the latching member to the lower face of the paddle. The arrangement of the latching device is such that when the paddle is in its normal horizontal position, the end 25 will take under the head 23 to detachably secure the paddle in position. .VVhen the paddle is impacted upon by a projectile, the latter to be presently referred to, the end 25 will ride clear of the head 23 and the paddle will assume an up right or vertical position, due to the fact that the paddle is eccentrically mounted thereof with respect to the shaft 11. The position the paddle assumes when the latching memits invention is as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. A game apparatus comprising a set of value indicating paddles, means for pivotally supporting said paddles eccentrically thereof, outwardly projecting, upwardly inclined spacers positioned between the paddles and having their lower ends anchored rearwardly of said means, a support for said spacers, said paddles and support having coacting means for releasably iolding said paddles innonvalue indicating position, and projectable means for impacting said paddles to shift them on their pivots to value indicating position.

2. a game apparatus comprising a foldable supporting frame, said frame including means for maintaining it in extended position, said frame including front and rear bars and with the rear bars projecting forwardly from the front bars when the frame is extended, a stationary shaft fixed to the upper ends of the rear bars, a support connected to the rear bars and arranged rearwardly of said shaft, a set of value indicating paddles, means for pivotally connecting said paddles eccentrically thereof to said shaft, spacer members anchored to said support and extending between said paddles, said paddles and support having coacting means for releasably holding said paddles in nonvalue indicating position, and projectable means for impacting said paddles to shift them on said shaft to value indicating position.

2-3. A game apparatus comprising a set of straight, normally horizontally disposed value indicating paddles, means for pivotally supporting said paddles eccentrically of the latter, spacers positioned between the paddles, a support for said spacers arranged rearwardly of and below said means, said paddles having means coacting with the rear of the support for releasably holding said paddles horizontally in non-value indicating position, and projectable means for impacting said paddles to shift them on their pivots to value indicating position, each of said paddles including a narrow intermediate portion and enlarged end portions, one of said end portions provided with a value indicating means.

4. A game apparatus comprising a foldable supporting frame, said frame including means for maintaining it in extended position, said frame including front and rear bars and with the rear bars projecting forwardl v from the front bars when the frame is extended, a stationary shaft fixed to the upper ends of the rear bars, a support connected to the rear bars and arranged rearwardly of said shaft, a set of value indicating paddles, means for pivotally connecting said paddles eccentrically thereof to said shaft, spacer members anchored to said support and extending between said paddles, said paddles and support having coacting means for releasably holding said paddles in non-value indicating position, and projectable means for impacting said paddles to shift them on said shaft to value indicating position, each of said paddles including a narrow intermediate portion and enlarged end port-ions and with one of said end portions provided with a value indicating means.

5. A game apparatus comprising aset of straight, normally horizontally disposed value indicating paddles, each including a narrow intermediate portion and a pair of enlarged end portions, the rear end portions having value indicating means thereon, means for pivotally supporting said paddles between the transverse medians thereof and the rear end portions, spacers projecting between said intermediate portions, a support for the spacarranged rearwardly of said means, said paddles having means coacting with said support for releasably holding said paddles in non-value indicating position, and projectable means for impacting said paddles to shift them on their pivots to value indicating position.

6. A. game apparatus comprising a foldable supporting frame, a transverse support and a transverse shaft fixed to said supporting frame, value indicating paddles pivoted eccentrically thereof upon said shaft, said support arranged rearwardly of and below said shaft, spacers anchored to and projecting from said support and between said paddles, means carried by the paddles and coact-ing with the support for latching said paddles in non-Value indicating position horizontally with respect to said shaft, and projectable means adapted to impact the paddles to shift them on their pivots from non-value to value indicating position Vertically with respect to said shaft.

7. A game apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a transverse shaft and a transverse support fixed to said frame, said shaft arranged forwardly of and above said support, value indicating paddles pivoted eccentrically thereof upon said shaft, spacer members anchored to said support, projecting upwardly therefrom and extending between said paddles at an inclination to the latter, latching members extending from the paddles, each of said paddles being straight throughout, and means carried by said support and coacting with said latching members for releasably holding said paddles horizontally in nonvalue indicating position.

8. A game apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a transverse shaft and a trans verse support fixed to said frame, said shaft arranged forwardly of and above said support, Value indicating paddles pivoted eccentrically thereof upon said shaft, spacer members anchored to said support, projecting upwardly therefrom and extending between said paddles at an inclination to the latter, latching members projecting from the paddles, each of said paddles being straight throughout, means carried by said support and coacting with said latching members for releasably holding said paddles in horizontal non-value indicating position, and a plurality of projectable elements of square contour adapted to impact the horizontally disposed paddles for shifting them from non-value indicating to value indicating position vertically with respect to said shaft.

9. A game apparatus comprising a set of value indicating paddles, each of the paddles of the set being straight throughout and independent of each other and each having a value indicating means at one end thereof, means for pivotally supporting said paddles eccentrically of the latter, means for releasably retaining said paddles normally in a horizontal, non-value indicating position, said paddles adapted to be impacted upon by a projectile for shifting the paddles from horizontal to upright value indicating position, and forwardly extending, yoke shaped, fixed spacer members interposed between the paddles.

101 In a game apparatus a set of pivotally mounted, value indicating paddles shiftable from horizontal to upright position to indicate the value thereof, each of said paddles having a reduced intermediate portion, forwardly extending, upwardly inclined, fixed spacer members opposing the intermediate portions of said paddles, means for suspending the paddles, and a support arranged below and rearwardly of said means for anchoring the rear ends of said members.

11. A game apparatus comprising a shaft, a foldable supporting structure therefor including spaced means carrying said shaft, said structure including a support connecting said means together below said shaft, a normally latched horizontally disposed set of value indicating paddles, each straight throughout and capable when impacted upon to swing from horizontal to vertical position with respect to said shaft, means for pivotally connecting each of said paddles between its transverse median and rear end upon said shaft, and resilient means carried by each paddle and coacting with said support for normally latching the paddle in horizontal position.

12. A game apparatus comprising a shaft, spaced means carrying said shaft, a support connecting said means together below said shaft, a normally latched set of horizontally disposed value indicating paddles, each capable when impacted upon to swing from horizontal to vertical position with respect to said shaft, means for pivotally connecting each of said paddles between its transverse median and rear end on said shaft, spaced headed elements projecting rearwardly from said support, and resilient means carried by each paddle coacting with the headed elements for normally latching the paddles in horizontal position.

13. A game apparatus comprising a set of eccentrically pivoted, normally latched horizontally disposed value indicating paddles, each straight throughout and adapted to be impacted upon to provide for the swinging of the paddle from horizontal to vertical position for indicating the value thereof, a support below the paddles, spaced retainers carried by said support, and resilient means projecting from each paddle and coacting with the retainers for latching said paddles normally in a horizontal position.

let. A game apparatus comprising a set of eccentrically pivoted, normally latched horizontally disposed value indicating paddles, each straight throughout and adapted to be impacted upon to provide for the swinging of the paddle from horizontal to vertical position for indicating the value thereof, a support below the paddles, spaced retainers carried by said support, resilient means projecting from each paddle and coacting with the retainers for latching said paddles normally in a horizontal position, a shaft carrying said paddles, and foldable supporting means for said shaft and support.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereto.

lVILLIAM J. ROCHE. 

